a strife

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strife" is not commonly used in written English; "strife" is typically uncountable.
You can use it in contexts discussing conflict or struggle, but it is more appropriate to use "strife" without the article. Example: "The region has been plagued by strife for decades."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This agreement ended a strife of 50 years, during which pamphleteers on both sides had revived every kind of claim to supremacy and God-given authority.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moreover, Heraclitus also postulates that all observable changes result from a "strife" of opposing forces to overcome each other, thus creating transformative power as the ruling condition of existence: "war is the father of all and king of all" (Fr. 212).

SEP

A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles".

Huffington Post

He writes that "the graver had a strife / With nature to outdo the life" and that he has "hit his face" accurately.

Wikipedia

There is a strife brewing between people who claim vital stories are being overlooked by the media vs. those in media with the prerogative of deciding what stories to cover.

Huffington Post

His early plays span the time period from his first production in 1728 to the beginning of the Actor's Rebellion of 1733, a strife within the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane that divided the theatrical community and threatened to disrupt London stage performances.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It is credited with keeping the peace in what was once a strife-torn region.

The Economist

In The Overwhelming he revisits a strife-torn Africa, more bluntly and to less effect.

The Guardian

After seeing the movie twice — that's a full five hours of immersion in a strife-torn 19th-century France — I still feel torn.

The New York Times

The economy of Sudan, a strife-torn country with an authoritarian government, began to unravel after South Sudan split off as a separate country two years ago, taking nearly 75 percent of the oil revenue the two countries had shared.

The New York Times

- in the space of a few months, including Robert Falls's revelatory production at the Goodman Theater, which set the play in a strife-torn contemporary landscape that suggested the Balkan conflict.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strife" without the article "a" as it is generally an uncountable noun. For instance, "The country was in a state of strife" can be written as "The country was in a state of strife."

Common error

Avoid using the article "a" before "strife". "Strife" refers to conflict or struggle in a general sense and doesn't typically require an article. Instead of "a strife", use "strife" or consider using "a conflict" or "a struggle" if you need a countable noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strife" functions as a noun phrase, but its usage is debated. Ludwig AI indicates that "strife" is typically uncountable, making the article "a" unnecessary. However, some examples exist, suggesting occasional usage, although it is not considered standard.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a strife" appears in some written sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect because "strife" is an uncountable noun. Ludwig AI confirms this, recommending the use of "strife" without the article or suggesting alternatives like "a conflict" or "a struggle". Predominantly found in News & Media, and occasionally in Encyclopedias and Wiki sources, its frequency is uncommon, and its usage in formal or academic writing is discouraged. Always prioritize grammatical correctness and clarity by using "strife" alone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a conflict

Replaces "strife" with a more common term for prolonged fighting or disagreement.

a struggle

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in a conflict or disagreement.

a discord

Highlights the lack of harmony and agreement.

a dispute

Focuses on a specific disagreement or argument.

a contention

Implies a strong disagreement or competition.

a feud

Describes a prolonged and bitter quarrel, often between families or groups.

a clash

Suggests a brief but intense confrontation.

a war

Signifies a major armed conflict.

an antagonism

Emphasizes a deep-seated feeling of dislike or hostility.

an altercation

Refers to a noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public.

FAQs

How can I use the word "strife" correctly in a sentence?

Use "strife" as an uncountable noun to refer to conflict or struggle. For example, instead of "a strife", you can say, "The nation was plagued by strife."

What are some alternatives to "a strife" that I can use?

Consider using alternatives such as "a conflict", "a struggle", or simply "strife" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a strife"?

While you may encounter the phrase "a strife", it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Strife" is typically used as an uncountable noun. It's more appropriate to use "strife" alone or rephrase your sentence using alternatives like "a conflict".

What's the difference between "strife" and "a conflict"?

"Strife" generally refers to ongoing or widespread conflict, while "a conflict" can refer to a specific instance of disagreement or fighting. While both relate to disagreement, "strife" emphasizes the pervasive nature of the discord.